Africa Eritrea The Arbaete Asmara sub-zone has been declared free of female genital mutilation after authorities verification that followed years of local monitoring, community reporting systems and coordinated action by health workers and local administrations
Europe Liechtenstein As shopping tourism booms, Sven Simonis, President of Purchasing in Liechtenstein, highlights that convenience is often underestimated
Europe Ukraine Emergency power cuts have been imposed in all but two regions of Ukraine following an increase in Russian strikes that have weakened the country's energy system
Europe North Macedonia Government wants to require journalists and others to seek permission to use open data from public institutions, heightening concerns about transparency; experts say a new bill on open data risks introducing new restrictions on transparency
Asia Azerbaijan The “Freedom for Political Prisoners of Azerbaijan” Union has released a new list of political prisoners, which includes the names of 392 individuals, an increase of 17 people compared to the list published in June which contained 375 names
America Saint Lucia All government pharmacies will be closed on 17 October to facilitate the staff’s attendance at a departmental training; the ministry asks the public to ensure their medication refills are arranged ahead of the closure to avoid inconvenience
Europe Moldova The Decision on the Methodological Norms for the Development and Approval of National Tourist Routes has been approved; a key measure for fostering the sustainable growth of the tourism sector according the Ministry of Culture
Africa South Africa South Africa will receive R2bn (€99 million) over six months from the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention to sustain existing HIV and Aids programs
Africa Angola A rural house and surrounding premises have been searched in Bié and seized from a sect that had illegally buried corpses
Europe Slovakia Prime Minister Robert Fico has once again invoked his veto power to block a new round of European Union sanctions against Russia, setting the stage for a full-blown clash during next week's summit of leaders.
Africa South Sudan Two solar-powered water yards have been handed out in Aweil Centre County by a German aid agency; they are equipped with pumping systems, elevated storage tanks, tap stands and animal drinking troughs, serving 600 households, or about 3.600 people
Asia Brunei Entries are open for the next Micro Bootcamp, a basic two-weeks entrepreneurship training program in English and Malay
Asia Israel All 20 remaining living hostages have returned to Israel, after two years in Hamas captivity; US President Trump personally joined celebrations
Africa Democratic Republic of the Congo Government and Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group have agreed on the creation of joint ceasefire monitoring body that will oversee the implementation of a permanent ceasefire; it was announced via social media posts after months of negotiation in Doha, Qatar